US bill seeks cybersecurity scholarships

The US House of Representatives has overwhelmingly passed a bill that would direct almost $400m toward research designed to shore up the nation's cybersecurity defenses.

The Cybersecurity Enhancement Act would approve $108.7m over five years to establish continue a cybersecurity scholarship program. In return, students would serve in federal government posts upon graduation.

This is precisely the kind of thing computer security supporters have advocated for years. Citing studies that suggest the US is woefully behind other nations in its supply of skilled cybersecurity personnel to secure critical networks, they argue the federal government needs to do more to attract and train new talent.

The bill, which was passed 422 to 5, would also require the White House to conduct an agency-by-agency assessment of cybersecurity workforce skills. It now heads to the Senate for consideration. More from The New York Times and IDG News is here and here. ®